Beppu Day Trip from Fukuoka: Train, Bus, Cost and a Simple Plan

JGO! editorial team — WEBMARKS Inc. (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Yes, a Beppu day trip from Fukuoka works well. The JR Limited Express SONIC takes about 2 hours from Hakata Station, and the highway bus takes about 2 hours 50 minutes from Tenjin. Leave Fukuoka in the morning, see the 7 Hells of Kannawa before 4 pm, and you can be back in Fukuoka the same night.

1Is a Beppu day trip from Fukuoka worth it?

Beppu is one of Japan's best-known hot spring areas. The name "Beppu Hatto" means eight hot spring towns. Together they have close to 3,000 hot spring sources and the largest hot spring water volume in Japan ⓘ JNTO.

For a day trip, most visitors focus on Kannawa. This is where you find most of the famous "Hells" (jigoku), colourful hot spring pools that are for looking at, not bathing in. You can also add a hot spring bath before you go home.

Is one day enough? For the Hells and one bath, yes. You will spend about 4–6 hours on trains or buses in total, so start early. If you want to explore several of the eight onsen towns, think about staying one night.

2Train vs bus: which is better?

You have two main choices. Here is how they compare, using official information.

Choose the train if you want more time in Beppu, flexible return times, or you already have a JR Kyushu Rail Pass.

Choose the bus if you want to save money. The bus also stops at Kannawa-guchi, which is handy for the Hells area. Check the official Nishitetsu page to see which buses stop where.

3Getting there by SONIC train

The Limited Express SONIC runs from Hakata Station to Beppu. In the daytime, trains leave Hakata at about :00 and :20 each hour ⓘ JR Kyushu timetable.

Timetable examples ⓘ valid 14 Mar 2026–28 Feb 2027, JR Kyushu: - SONIC 1: Hakata 6:21 → Beppu 8:34 - SONIC 9: Hakata 9:00 → Beppu 10:55 - SONIC 13: Hakata 10:00 → Beppu 11:54 - Return, SONIC 58: Beppu 20:19 → Hakata 22:30 - Last return, SONIC 60: Beppu 21:38 → Hakata 23:51

Timetables change. Always check the current JR Kyushu timetable before you travel.

Good to know about SONIC ⓘ JR Kyushu: - The train changes direction at Kokura. Your seat may face backwards for part of the trip. This is normal. - There are no on-board sales. Buy drinks and snacks before you board. - The SONIC page says there are no Green Car services on SONIC. The timetable lists seat types, but check the current train when you book. - Cars 3–4 may be reserved or non-reserved, depending on the train. Check the signs on the platform.

Coming from the airport? Fukuoka Airport to Hakata takes about 10 minutes by subway ⓘ Beppu City.

4Getting there by highway bus

The Toyonokuni highway bus is run by Nishitetsu. It is the budget option.

Key facts (Nishitetsu): - Stops: Hakata Bus Terminal, Nishitetsu Tenjin Highway Bus Terminal, Fukuoka Airport International Terminal, Kannawa-guchi, Beppu (Kitahama). - Fare: adult one-way 3,250 yen (nonstop, Tenjin–Kitahama). Children pay half. - Web round trip: 5,760 yen (2,880 yen each way). Web booking only, credit card only, valid 10 days. - Time: about 2 h 49 min, Tenjin to Kitahama. - Frequency: 12 round trips a day, every 60–90 minutes. - Reservation: required. Booking opens at 8:00 on the same date one month before. - Phone: 092-734-2727 (8:00–19:00).

Bus + local bus pass bundle: Kamenoi Bus sells a ticket with a Fukuoka–Beppu/Yufuin highway bus round trip plus the "My Beppu Free" 2-day pass for local buses. It costs 7,200 yen, with no child discount. It is sold at Nishitetsu Tenjin Highway Bus Terminal, Hakata Bus Terminal and Fukuoka Airport bus terminal (Kamenoi Bus). The standalone price of the My Beppu Free pass was not on the official page when we checked, so ask at the counter.

5Is the JR Kyushu Rail Pass worth it for Beppu?

The SONIC is covered by the All Kyushu and Northern Kyushu passes. It is not covered by the Southern Kyushu pass ⓘ JR Kyushu.

Pass prices ⓘ JR Kyushu: - Northern Kyushu: 3 days 15,000 yen / 5 days 17,000 yen (child 7,500 / 8,500 yen) - All Kyushu: 3 days 22,000 yen / 5 days 24,000 yen / 7 days 26,000 yen

Online booking prices may differ, so check the JR Kyushu site.

Quick maths: a round trip at the reserved fare is 13,820 yen ⓘ Beppu City fares. A 3-day Northern Kyushu pass is 15,000 yen. So for Beppu alone, the pass does not save money. It makes sense if you use it on other days too, for example to visit other towns in northern Kyushu.

Important: passes cannot be used on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Hakata and Kokura ⓘ JR Kyushu. Stay on the SONIC.

We did not find an official discount web ticket price for SONIC. Check JR Kyushu for any current online offers.

6Getting around Beppu: Station to Kannawa

The train arrives at Beppu Station. The Hells are in Kannawa, up the hill. Take a local Kamenoi Bus from the West Exit.

• Bus numbers: Beppu City lists buses 2, 5, 7 and 41 from West Exit stop 3. The Beppu Hells site lists buses 2, 5, 24 and 41. Buses 2, 5 and 41 appear on both lists. Check the sign at the stop.
• Time: about 19–25 minutes ⓘ Beppu City, or about 20 minutes ⓘ Beppu Hells official.
• Where to get off: Umi-Jigoku-mae or Kannawa ⓘ Beppu Hells official.
• Taxi: about 15 minutes, about 1,900 yen ⓘ Beppu Hells official.

If you take the highway bus, you can get off at Kannawa-guchi instead of riding to Kitahama.

7Seeing the 7 Hells of Beppu

The 7 Hells are the main reason most people make a Beppu day trip from Fukuoka.

Hours and tickets ⓘ Beppu Hells official: - Open 8:00–17:00, every day. - Common ticket for all 7 Hells: adult 2,400 yen, child (elementary/junior high school) 1,200 yen (from 1 Feb 2025).

Plan your route: most of the Hells are close together in Kannawa. Two of them, Chinoike and Tatsumaki, are about 3 km away from the Kannawa group ⓘ Beppu Hells official. You will need transport to reach them. Check the official Beppu Hells site for current access.

Beppu City advises arriving before 16:00 if you want to see all seven.

After the Hells: Kannawa is also a hot spring town, so it is a good place for a bath. See our guides to Kannawa Onsen, the Beppu sand bath, and tattoo-friendly onsen in Beppu.

8Step-by-step: a simple Beppu day plan

This plan uses real SONIC times from the JR Kyushu timetable. Check times again before you go.

1. Morning: Buy your ticket at Hakata Station. Get snacks first, because there are no on-board sales ⓘ JR Kyushu.
2. 9:00: Take SONIC 9 from Hakata. Arrive in Beppu at 10:55 ⓘ JR Kyushu. Want more time? SONIC 1 leaves at 6:21 and arrives at 8:34.
3. About 11:00: Go to the West Exit of Beppu Station. Take a Kamenoi Bus to Umi-Jigoku-mae or Kannawa, about 20 minutes ⓘ Beppu Hells official.
4. Late morning to afternoon: Buy the 2,400-yen common ticket and walk around the Kannawa Hells. Arrange transport to Chinoike and Tatsumaki, about 3 km away. Be at the Hells before 16:00 to see all seven ⓘ Beppu City.
5. Late afternoon: Have a hot spring bath in Kannawa, then take the bus back to Beppu Station.
6. Evening: Take SONIC 58 at 20:19 (arrives Hakata 22:30), or the last SONIC 60 at 21:38 (arrives Hakata 23:51) ⓘ JR Kyushu.

By bus instead? Book the Toyonokuni bus online in advance. Get off at Kannawa-guchi, see the Hells, then catch your return bus. Check the Nishitetsu site for exact times.

9Mistakes first-timers make

• Arriving at the Hells late → The Hells close at 17:00 ⓘ Beppu Hells official. Get there before 16:00 to see all seven ⓘ Beppu City.
• Turning up for the highway bus without a seat → Reservations are required (Nishitetsu). Book online or by phone before your trip.
• Using a rail pass on the Shinkansen to Kokura → The JR Kyushu passes cannot be used on the Sanyo Shinkansen (Hakata–Kokura). Take the SONIC direct from Hakata.
• Waiting to buy food on the train → SONIC has no on-board sales ⓘ JR Kyushu. Buy snacks at Hakata Station.
• Forgetting Chinoike and Tatsumaki are far away → They are about 3 km from the Kannawa group ⓘ Beppu Hells official. Plan transport and time for them.

10FAQ

How long does it take from Fukuoka to Beppu? By SONIC train, as fast as 2 h 1 min from Hakata ⓘ Beppu City. By highway bus, about 2 h 49 min from Tenjin to Kitahama (Nishitetsu).

How much does a Beppu day trip from Fukuoka cost? Transport only: about 12,760–13,820 yen round trip by train ⓘ Beppu City fares, or 5,760 yen by web round-trip bus ticket (Nishitetsu). Add 2,400 yen for the 7 Hells ticket ⓘ Beppu Hells official, plus local buses and food.

Do I need to reserve the SONIC train? No. Non-reserved seats are available ⓘ JR Kyushu. Reserved seats cost a little more: 6,910 yen vs 6,380 yen one way ⓘ Beppu City.

Can I go to Beppu directly from Fukuoka Airport? Yes, by highway bus from the Fukuoka Airport International Terminal (Nishitetsu). For the train, take the subway to Hakata, about 10 minutes ⓘ Beppu City.

When is the last train back to Fukuoka? SONIC 60 leaves Beppu at 21:38 and arrives at Hakata at 23:51 ⓘ JR Kyushu timetable. Confirm on the day.

Can I bathe in the Hells? No. The Hells are hot spring pools for viewing. For bathing, visit a public bath in Kannawa or elsewhere in Beppu.

11Related guides

• Kannawa Onsen guide
• Beppu sand bath
• Tattoo-friendly onsen in Beppu
• Fukuoka yatai etiquette
• Yatai prices
• Yatai opening hours
• Nakasu yatai
• How to order Hakata ramen
• Hakata vs Nagahama ramen

Related guides

Beppu Bus Guide: Passes, Payment and Practical Tips

Beppu Hells Guide: Tickets, Hours and Access

Beppu Onsen Areas: Eight Districts, Baths and Prices

Beppu Sand Bath Guide: Where to Go, Prices and Hours

Beppu to Yufuin: Bus Options, Fares and Current Service

Beppu Food Guide: Toriten, Reimen and Jigoku-mushi

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